Jadon Sancho following "very difficult" path as Man Utd start becomes overshadowed
| Published date | 19 September 2021 |
| Publication title | Daily Mirror, The: Web Edition Articles (London, England) |
United drove a hard bargain to complete the deal, the third-most expensive in their history, having initially baulked at the Bundesliga giants’ valuation in excess of over £100m.
But after five appearances for the Red Devils, Sancho has failed to register a goal or an assist. In the era of modern football, such a run is nearly unforgivable.
The demands of football fans have never been higher — and that is somewhat understandable. Salaries and transfer fees are at an all-time high, ticket prices are going through the roof and the seven million or so fantasy football managers require big point returns.
Time is not something afforded to the modern footballer. If one week he has an off-day, immediately there are calls for the manager to bench him.
Sancho has quickly found out how short the honeymoon period can last, with some fans already questioning his recent performances. Meanwhile, the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and his return of three goals in two games has overshadowed his arrival.
But those who know football will acknowledge that the best footballers do not go from superb to substandard overnight. Sometimes, it is a matter of patience and trying new ideas to fit the individual.
For Sancho, it is fair to say both apply.
It is certainly not the first time the goals have dried up. Only a year ago, it took the 21-year-old until October to notch his first of the campaign for Dortmund in all competitions. In the Bundesliga, he failed to find the net until January.
What could not be denied was that he had become unsettled by United’s pursuit last summer and Dortmund’s refusal to sell. When asked about Sancho’s form, then manager Lucien Favre directly suggested the Red Devils’ interest had distracted his player.
But Favre knew the player he had at his disposal, having overseen his transition from the youth team to the senior squad. Eventually, he knew Sancho would find form again and persisted to select him in his starting XI.
It was clear that in a foreign country at such a young age where he did not fluently speak the language was taking its toll. Sancho required some time away from the pitch — and the Bundesliga’s Christmas break offered the perfect moment to step aside.
"Obviously this season has been very difficult for me personally," the BVB star told the Bundesliga's official website.
“So I knew when...
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